South Carolina prosecutor to seek death in church shooting

The Associated Press

Published
1:35 pm EDT, Thursday, September 3, 2015

This June 18, 2015, file photo, provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office shows Dylann Roof. A South Carolina prosecutor said Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, that she will seek the death penalty for Roof, who is charged with killing nine black churchgoers in Charleston. Roof also faces federal charges including hate crimes. Prosecutors in that case have not said if they will pursue the death penalty. less

This June 18, 2015, file photo, provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office shows Dylann Roof. A South Carolina prosecutor said Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, that she will seek the death penalty for ... more

Photo: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Via AP, File

Photo: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Via AP, File

Image
1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

This June 18, 2015, file photo, provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office shows Dylann Roof. A South Carolina prosecutor said Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, that she will seek the death penalty for Roof, who is charged with killing nine black churchgoers in Charleston. Roof also faces federal charges including hate crimes. Prosecutors in that case have not said if they will pursue the death penalty. less

This June 18, 2015, file photo, provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office shows Dylann Roof. A South Carolina prosecutor said Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, that she will seek the death penalty for ... more

Photo: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Via AP, File

South Carolina prosecutor to seek death in church shooting

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

COLUMBIA, S.C. >> The latest on a prosecutor’s decision to seek the death penalty against Dylann Roof (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

A South Carolina prosecutor says she will seek the death penalty for a white man charged with killing nine black churchgoers.

Prosecutors filed court papers Thursday saying they would pursue the death penalty against 21-year-old Dylann Roof. The documents cited factors including the fact that more than two people were killed, and that others’ lives were put at risk.

Prosecutors also said they intended to present evidence on Roof’s mental state, adult and juvenile criminal record and other conduct, as well as his apparent lack of remorse for the killings.

Roof faces state charges including nine murder counts in the June 17 slayings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is next expected in court on those charges in October.

Roof also faces federal charges including hate crimes. Prosecutors in that case have not said if they will pursue the death penalty.